With December already in full force, the holidays will be on us before we know it. Between turning on all the outdoor lights and housing extra guests, it can be easy for many folks to worry about keeping their energy bills from skyrocketing. We understand the need to be frugal (for extra shopping money), but you shouldn’t need to cut corners on your celebration plans this year. There are plenty of ways to save on energy without skimping. The technicians at Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric have compiled a list of simple, effective ways to save some energy this holiday season.
Take a pass on inflatable decor
It’s hard not to find those giant penguins and enormous snow globes endearing and maybe they tempted you the last time you were at the store. However, these lawn ornaments suck a large amount of power – especially the designs that include motion. Instead of purchasing one for that very last bare patch in the yard, purchase lawn decorations that don’t require electricity to fill out your festive fleet. If you have already purchased one or several, cut down on the time that you keep them inflated to save yourself some extra energy. A good timeframe would be weekend afternoons when the neighborhood kids are more likely to enjoy them. If you want to be even thriftier, only inflate them before your holiday parties when you want your outdoor decorations on full and finest display for your guests to enjoy.
Invest in LED holiday lighting
Saving energy doesn’t mean that you need to tone down your glimmering holiday display. LED lights or fiber optics make for vibrant and sparkling decorations with a noticeable radius of light. On a tree, they may serve as a reputable light source, requiring little else to keep your room lit. And as a notable bonus, they can save you up to 90% of the electricity cost as running traditional lighting. Should you pair your lighting with a light timer, there’s no need to keep track of when to turn them on and off; your decorations (and savings) are hands-free for the season!
Adjust your thermostat
With a new season comes a new routine. When guests are coming over, adjust your thermostat to prepare for the larger body of people. Turn the thermostat down to make up for the extra heat generated from body temperatures before your guests arrive. If you have a programmable thermostat and are expecting guests to stay multiple nights, you may even take the further step of temporarily programming your system according to the temperatures that best work for your crowd. And on mild days, open up your windows and doors and turn on the fans to create a pleasant flow of fresh air.
Check your air filter
Just as important as keeping your thermostat fine-tuned is making sure your HVAC system is getting the air flow that it needs. Be sure to check your air filter for dust accumulation and other airborne detritus that will compromise the efficiency. Replace it if necessary. As an extra cleaning tip, vacuum or dust your vents around the house for the freshest air possible. Having a clean air filter not only means better indoor air quality for your home, it also ups the efficiency of your air conditioning unit. This means that your unit can work less to get its job done right, resulting in energy savings for you!
Are you looking for other ways to save with your heating and cooling systems, but not quite sure how to make it happen? Contact the dedicated experts at Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric from 7AM to 11PM any day of the week. We are here and ready to help you go through the energy-saving options for your home – and make it the most efficient it can be for you this holiday season! Call us at (813) 530-9061 to make an appointment.
